Forest Benediction, West Virginia |
20x24
" prints are $1,000 |
Ruth and I were out photographing on this morning in West Virginia in 2000. The sun was just beginning to rise and when it came over the mountain ridge, the forests and hillsides were bathed in resplendent, warm glowing light as the sunlight came though the low lying fog. Knowing that this wonderful light would only last a few minutes, I looked at the map and had to make an instantaneous decision as to where to go. We were close to the small country road where I had photographed "Ancient Oak and Autumn Sunrise" nine years earlier, and I remembered that small valley had great photographic potential. Since the valley was oriented east-west, I also knew the glowing light would traverse the narrow valley as we looked for a worthwhile image. Just as we entered the valley, I looked over my shoulder and saw the scene that you see here. It was looking through a window into a gloriously luminous world. We quickly set up the 8x10" view camera and, with Ruth's excellent help, we were able to get the one exposure which I used to make this print. When I first finished making the print, which wasn't until 2009, I contemplated what title would be most appropriate. To me, the image had a feeling of a blessing and there was also that view into the special, glowing world beyond. A Benediction is a specific blessing given at the end of a church service and this image recalls within me the feeling that I receive at those times. |